The effect of mass screening by physical examination combined with regular breast self-examination on clinical stage and course of Japanese women with breast cancer.
A mass screening program for breast cancer in Japan consists of physical examination (PE) and education on regular breast self-examination (BSE). The effect of PE with BSE on clinical stages and courses of breast cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical stages and courses were compared between; i) patients who were examined in outpatient clinics (OPC, n=587), ii) patients who were detected by mass screening with regular BSE [BSE(+), n=68], and iii) without BSE [BSE(-), n=178]. Clinical stage in BSE(+) was significantly earlier than that in BSE(-) or OPC. As early stage cancer was most common in BSE(+), conservative surgery was mostly selected. Survival curve in BSE(+) was significantly better than those in BSE(-) or OPC. BSE complements the role of mass screening by PE for early detection and a more favorable clinical course.
Koibuchi
Y
Y
The Second Department of Surgery, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371, Japan.
Iino
Y
Y
Takei
H
H
Maemura
M
M
Horiguchi
J
J
Yokoe
T
T
Morishita
Y
Y
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010808:Physical Examination; D015996:Survival Rate